"Blossoms in the Dust" released in 1941 by MGM, is the wonderful and inspiring story of Edna Gladly, a sort-of social worker in the early part of 20th century. Greer Garson shines in her portrayal of Edna Gladly. She and her husband Sam (Walter Pigeon) lose a son early on in the movie, leading Gladly on a crusade to get unwanted children adopted in the state of Texas. Gladly not only provides a home for these children, but she decides to make it her mission to remove the word "illegitimate" from these children's birth certificates. It is shocking in these modern times to think that at one time such children were branded this way, leading to a stigma that followed them their entire lives. Gladly's life is not all roses -- not only does she endure the death of her child, she and her husband lose their fortune and then her husband dies later on in the film. Edna must then move her children's shelter at one point because some judgmental city councilmen obviously didn't want it in their neighborhood. But she perseveres throughout, and Greer Garson's stirring speech to the state legislature in Texas is as moving as any delivered in a film, and she finally succeeds in her quest to get the word "illegitimate" removed from birth certificates. Gladly becomes especially attached to one boy in her shelter, and she nurses him until she finally lets him go to be adopted. The scene is a tear-jerker, and I defy anyone not to have tears well up in their eyes. What makes the movie work is the talented Ms. Garson and a fine supporting cast including Walter Pigeon and Felix Bressart; and of course MGM's usual great production values. This movie is but one example of why MGM was the biggest and best studio of the golden age of Hollywood.
Review of Blossoms in the Dust
